Jerry Jacobs, James Mitchell to IR: Detroit Lions activate 4 players from practice squad

The Detroit Lions announced on Saturday that cornerback Jerry Jacobs and tight end James Mitchell have been placed on injured reserve. Both were added to the injury report this week in practice and now both will be ineligible to play again during the playoffs. Jacobs suffered a lower-body injury, while Mitchell suffered a hand injury that required surgery, according to a social media post from the Lions tight end.

With the two empty roster spots and the two practice squad elevations allowed per week, the Lions have promoted a total of four players from the practice squad who are now eligible to play for Sunday’s Wild Card game against the Los Angeles Rams. Here are the details:

Signed to the 53-man roster:

• TE Anthony Firkser
• CB Chase Lucas

Temporary elevations from the practice squad (will return to practice squad after game)

• FB Jason Cabinda
• DT Tyson Alualu

Firkser was a necessary signing to the 53-man roster with the Lions shorthanded at tight end. Not only is Mitchell done for the season, but Brock Wright is making his return from injury after missing the past three games, and starter Sam LaPorta is questionable with a hyperextended knee and bone bruise. While it appears LaPorta is miraculously trending toward playing, the Lions certainly need some reinforcement in case he is limited or out.

Lucas makes his way back onto the 53-man roster for the second time this season. As one of the better gunners on the team, he will likely play a significant role on Sunday, while providing depth at both outside and nickel corner.

Cabinda returned to action last week as a practice squad call-up. He played only five offensive snaps at fullback but saw 20 on special teams. Expect a similar role for him on Sunday.

Finally, Alualu has been a call-up for each of the past two weeks. The 36-year-old defensive tackle has provided a healthy amount of snaps after the Lions moved on from Isaiah Buggs. With Alim McNeill back in the lineup, his role decreased a bit last week, but expect him to have a significant part in the game plan against a run-heavy Rams offense.

Of note, NFL postseason rules stipulate that the Lions are only allowed to sign four free agents during the playoffs, but because Firkser and Lucas are coming from Detroit’s practice squad, they do not count toward that allotment.

To recap:

Placed on IR:

• TE James Mitchell
• CB Jerry Jacobs

Signed to 53-man roster:

• TE Anthony Firkser
• CB Chase Lucas

Elevation from practice squad

• FB Jason Cabinda
• DT Tyson Alualu